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Defenceman Jeff Finger, a key free-agent signing by the Leafs this summer, will play in Saturday's game at the Air Canada Centre against the Ottawa Senators.

Finger has yet to play in a regular-season game due to a bruised right foot.

"We're going to hold him out (tonight in Boston)," head coach Ron Wilson said. "We want to make sure he goes in there with a little bit of a base because he got hurt so early in training camp."

Finger is physically ready to play, but is just rounding back into game shape. His return will mean that at least two players will have to sit. Veteran Carlo Colaiacovo has been a healthy scratch in a couple of games this season while Ian White has yet to see any action in a regular-season game.

CLEAR THE ICE

Wilson also suggested that rugged winger Ryan Hollweg will play tonight in Boston. Hollweg returns from a three-game suspension, the result of hitting St. Louis Blues defenceman Alex Pietrangelo from behind in a game on Oct.13. Hollweg practised on the fourth line yesterday with rookie John Mitchell, Jamal Mayers and newly-demoted Jason Blake. There's a good chance that Blake may be the odd man out tonight.

Hollweg, who has a history of hitting from behind, is excited to be back, but is walking a fine line. Another such hit and he will be suspended for four games, or even more.

"That's going to be in the back of my head, but I can't just focus on that," he said. "I have to concentrate on my game and not worry about that too much.

"I have to play physical, but be a lot more careful."

Wilson still believes Hollweg brings a lot to the table.

"He doesn't want to hurt the team and I want to make him a little bit more of hockey player," Wilson said. "He can skate and get in on the forecheck and be a valuable asset for us."

FUN WITH NUMBERS

It's probably no surprise that the offensively-challenged Leafs are well down the NHL average in power-play goals. After six games, the Leafs have scored three power-play goals in 27 advantages, for a 11.1 percentage, 25th overall. What may be surprising, given the fact that Wilson is a defence-first coach, is that the Leafs are second-last in penalty killing, having given up eight power-play goals in 29 times short-handed (72.4%).